In a milestone achievement in the world of harness racing, Corey Peterson, a talented trainer-reinsman, celebrated his maiden metropolitan win with Manhattan Ruby at Gloucester Park. The victory came in the $31,000 Garrard’s Here On Track Pace event, where the promising filly, Manhattan Ruby, dominated the 2130m race on a Friday night.

Peterson, aged 24, not only trained Manhattan Ruby but also drove her to a remarkable triumph, marking his first breeding success in a metropolitan-class competition. Starting as the $1.70 favorite, Manhattan Ruby seized the lead from the No. 4 barrier and showcased a commanding performance, finishing ten meters ahead of Lou Lamour, the $10 outsider who made a strong late charge from fifth position.

Manhattan Ruby’s impressive run included covering the final 800m in 57.2 seconds and achieving a rating of 1.58.4. This win secured her a hat-trick of victories, maintaining a record of three wins in four starts and accumulating $28,260 in prize money. Notably, Manhattan Ruby is sired by the renowned pacer Soho Tribeca and is the first offspring of the Bettors Delight mare, The Achiever.

The Achiever, with a racing history of four wins and earnings of $23,671, was entrusted to WA trainer-reinsman Kim Prentice in 2017 by her owners, who are part of the prominent Butt harness racing family from New Zealand. Despite encountering setbacks due to a tendon injury after her debut in WA, The Achiever recuperated under Peterson’s care, who then received permission to train her further.

Peterson’s successful handling of The Achiever led to the owners gifting her to him, allowing him to utilize her as a broodmare. With Manhattan Ruby’s Westbred Classic as a primary target in September, Peterson plans to give The Achiever a well-deserved break before preparing her for the upcoming race. Subsequent to assessing her performance in the Westbred event, Peterson will decide on her potential participation in the WA Oaks, demonstrating his strategic approach towards nurturing and developing promising racing talent.

Corey Peterson’s breakthrough victory with Manhattan Ruby not only highlights his emerging prowess in the harness racing domain but also underscores the significance of meticulous breeding and training practices in shaping successful racehorses. The journey from breeding to training to winning a metropolitan-class race exemplifies the dedication and skill required to excel in the competitive world of harness racing.